The Manhasset Middle School Hockey Club made a triumphant return to the reopening of the Port Washington Skating Center. The center had been closed because of a propane tank explosion which occurred during the last week in December. The Jan. 21 home game was perhaps the best all-around game the team had played this season with 7 unanswered goals in a brief stretch and ending with a victory score of 12-4 against Island Trees/Plainedge.

Leading the way, as he has all year and scoring 3 goals, was the incomparable Captain Ryan Berger, who repeatedly split the opposition's defense with superior speed and puck handling. Co-Captain Chris Cook, a skilled two way player and perennial contributor scored a hat trick with a nasty wrist shot from a difficult right side angle. Chris Brzozowski scored twice, redirecting a shot and powering one into the net. Drew Duque slipped one past the opposing goalie pads and Ryan Montgomery scored by freezing their goalie and lifting the puck past him. Alex Whipple picked up the puck about five feet from the crease zipping it past the goalie before he could react. Eddie Parisi took a lead pass, courtesy of A.J. Garbus, an important player who has demonstrated heart, hustle and selflessness all season, only to flick a powerful wrist shot into the back of the net. Forwards Andrew Boiselle and Nicholas Bilotto were key in moving the puck and opening the ice to their teammates. Co-captain and defenseman Pat Depippo's fast skating and stick handling repeatedly stripped opposition skaters of the puck, advancing it into the Manhasset's offensive zone and setting up the offenses' scoring opportunities. The enforcer, defenseman John Hannon, aggressively patrolled Manhasset's defensive zone, standing up for his teammates and stopping opposing forwards with crushing checks. The hard-skating defensemen Ryan Begley and James Carr consistently covered the puck in support of an outstanding game played by goalie, Joey Watts, who made several difficult stops look easy.

Coach Kevin Smith, a teacher and St. Mary's hockey team alumnus, has done a tremendous job creating a successful team with the disparate talents of a group of skaters who never played together before. Coach Smith commented after the game, "It has been particularly gratifying to see so many of the boys elevate their game over the course of the season. It's a tribute to their hard work. Hopefully, it will continue and make us a force to be reckoned with. It's also great to see the boys getting along so well, genuinely enjoying playing together."

The team welcomes the support and enthusiasm shown by their peers and the community who attend their games or contributes financially to build an even stronger program for the future. The club does not receive any funding from the school district and would welcome and appreciate any contact form individuals or entities that are willing to offer donations or sponsorships to support the team and assist in hopefully building a strong hockey legacy for your community. Again, players interested in joining the middle school, JV and varsity club teams and interested supporters should contact ManhassetHockey@yahoo.com or John Hannon at 365-5029 or 877-0902.